Drummer Matt Cameron has shared new details about his exit from Pearl Jam—after 27 years—and the progress on Soundgarden’s long-awaited final album featuring Chris Cornell’s vocals. He spoke with Billboard ahead of Soundgarden’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Why Matt Cameron Left Pearl Jam
On July 7, 2025, Cameron announced via social media that he was stepping down from Pearl Jam after nearly three decades. He called the journey “incredible,” full of artistry, friendship, and challenges, and expressed gratitude to his bandmates Jeff Ament, Ed Vedder, Mike McCready, and Stone Gossard.
He didn’t provide full details at the time, but in the Billboard interview he explained part of the reasoning. At 62, the rigors of long Pearl Jam concerts—three-hour sets and constant touring—became harder to maintain. He said he wanted to refocus on something different: “I want to do a face-melting 70-minute set and that’s kind of what I’m focusing on right now.”
Pearl Jam has not officially announced who will replace him as drummer.
Status of Soundgarden’s Final Album
Cameron also gave an update on Soundgarden’s unfinished album, which the band had been working on when Chris Cornell passed away in 2017. Legal disputes with Cornell’s estate were eventually resolved, allowing the surviving members to continue completing the recordings Cornell had already made.
The album is now “definitely over halfway done”, according to Cameron. Kim Thayil is in the process of finishing his guitar parts, having taken extra care to get them exactly right. There are eight songs in the batch.
There is no release date yet. The band decided they will not release any singles before the full album is completed.
Cameron acknowledged how emotional the process has been: hearing Cornell’s vocals again brings back both uplifting highs and painful lows. “It all comes back to the fact that he’s not with us … It’s been gut-wrenching but at the same time very empowering.”
